Gary Edward Goodchuck, age 84, died April 21, 2020 at the Good Samaritan Center in Hays, Kansas. He was born December 11, 1935 in Denver, CO to Archie Edward and Ada Mae (Summers) Goodchuck. He was a 1954 graduate of Kearney High School, and a 1961 graduate of Nebraska State Teachers College, now UNK, in Kearney, NE. Gary served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He was a Personnel Specialist in Headquarters Detachment. Gary’s Basic Training was at Fort Carson, CO.
Gary taught American History, Social Studies, and Government for 37 years in Wauneta, NE High School. He retired and moved to Hays in 1998. He quickly became a volunteer in the Counselor’s Office at Hays High School and helped there for 18 years. Gary was a generous person and started student travel in Wauneta’s High School in 1967. He continued that tradition at Hays High. Over his teaching career, Mr. G arranged and hosted many student trips to Washington, DC, NY, Philadelphia, Kansas City, Denver, Chicago, Yellowstone, and the Ozarks. He also provided many scholarships for these educational trips. Mr. G also sponsored mission trips in several churches and schools.
Throughout his life, Gary traveled to 15 foreign countries, and extensively throughout the United States. Starting in 1947, as a 5th grader, his family started their tradition of volunteer work through the summers in Yellowstone National Park, Gary made over 60 trips to Yellowstone throughout his life.
Gary was awarded the “All American Citizen Award” by the city of Hays in July of 2006.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Gracene Bailey and husband Lennis, and sister Gloria Goodchuck, nephews Kevin Bailey and Kraig Bailey.
As per Gary’s wishes, cremation was chosen. His ashes will be scattered in one of his favorite places, Yellowstone National Park.
Any memorial contributions should be made directly to the charity or school of your choice.
Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at [email protected].
Arrangements in care of Brock’s Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601